Name: Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American

Jule’s Menu Verified

February 17, 2026

Bang Bang Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and made extra easy in the air fryer. The chicken fillets are coated in a flavorful buttermilk–panko crust, air-fried until golden, and served with a creamy, spicy Sriracha dip. Inspired by Bang Bang Shrimp, a classic of Chinese-American cuisine, this recipe delivers all the bold flavors you love with less oil and minimal effort. Serve it as irresistible finger food, or turn it into a satisfying dinner with jasmine rice and broccoli for a complete meal.

From the Cook

1/4

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken

Jule’s Menu Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Remove any tendons from the chicken and cut it into approximately 4 to 5 centimeter cubes. In a deep bowl, whisk together the egg, kefir, flour, cornstarch, and chili powder until smooth and creamy, then season generously with salt and pepper.

Add the chicken pieces to the egg and flour mixture and stir well so that each piece is completely coated with the egg mixture; let marinate for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.

Place the panko breadcrumbs in a bowl or deep plate and season generously with salt and pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 230°C (450°F) and, in the meantime, coat the chicken pieces in the panko breadcrumbs until completely covered, then place them on a plate or board.

Grease the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray or oil and place the chicken fillets side by side in the basket.

Cook chicken pieces in an air fryer at 230°C for 7 minutes, depending on their size, until they are nicely crispy on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 74°C. Repeat the process until all the chicken pieces are cooked.

Meanwhile, for the sauce, mix together mayonnaise, sriracha and sweet chili sauce.

To serve, spread the sauce over the crispy baked chicken pieces and/or serve it as a dip with the Bang Bang Chicken.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Buttermilk Tenderizing Magic 🥛
Marinate chicken in kefir or buttermilk for at least 2 hours before breading to break down proteins and ensure maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
Panko Crunch Perfection 🍞
Toast panko breadcrumbs in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before coating to enhance their golden color and create an extra crispy exterior.
Cornstarch Coating Hack 🥣
Create a three-stage breading station with cornstarch, seasoned flour, and panko to ensure a thick, perfectly adherent coating that won't fall off during air frying.
Air Fryer Space Strategy 🍗
Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer with slight spacing between them to allow hot air circulation and achieve maximum crispiness on all sides.
Spicy Dip Balance 🌶️
When mixing the Bang Bang sauce, start with less Sriracha and gradually add to control heat level, tasting as you go for perfect flavor intensity.

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About the Cook

Jule’s Menu

Hi, I’m Julia, and I’m the recipe developer, photographer, and author behind Jules’ Menu. I’ve spent the last eight years perfecting healthy everyday recipes so they strike the perfect balance between healthy and nourishing, simple and practical, and gourmet-level delicious.